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Letter from G. P. A. HEALY to GEORGE PERKINS MARSH and CAROLINE
CRANE MARSH, dated July 26, 1854.,
Original located at the University of Vermont's Special Collections in the George Perkins
Marsh Collection, filed by date.,
http://cdi.uvm.edu/collections/item/gphgpm540726 (accessed March 03, 2015)

I was delighted to receive a line from you both! I saw Mrs. Rotch last evening & her
husband this morning into whose hands I placed the Review, upon which, I wrote your present
address, that no mistake might occur. This morning I did not go to my Atelier before breakfast
but sat in my "salon" alone, reading all about the Camel! I wish you
could have seen how grand I seemed, I never enjoyed an hour's reading so much before, I said to
myself if the time should ever come when I can do this once or twice a week, who knows, if my
eyes will but last, but I may become quite a reading man!

Sweet Mrs Marsh, I do not
remember if I told you I intended to present the Mother of my beautiful sitter with a kit-cat
portrait of her daughter, never has a virtuous intention been so recompensed in this world
before, on Saturday she gave me her first sitting on Tuesday I painted the delicate green dress
& yesterday she sat & stood nearly all day, her Mother said she liked it better
than the first! Poor dear Lady, she then little thought she was prasing her own property! I wish
you could have seen her expression when I told her. Now I must tell you that I have worked all
day to day, on that which you saw, it is now twenty times better! & this is my reward.
The copy of Mr. Peabody's portrait has gone into engravers hands. Little
Agnes came into town on Monday morning & behaved so well that Mr.
Evans praised her & I gave her that, money & a kiss.

Last evening the Palmleys -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- & the Evanses started for Switzerland in a rain storm worthing
of the U.S.A. & this evening it looks very like rain again. The Palmleys are to return
in about a fortnight when they are to have our apartments for two months, or so, that they may
be near their child about the end of September.

Last evening I received a letter from Mr. W. B. Ogden, he & the
Butlers are in Switzerland & are to be here in time for the grand fêtes on the
15th of August. By the way the Rotches are to leave early in the morning so you may
expect your book early next week. The heat has been extreme since you left, Dubourjal & I dined with Madame Perignon on Tuesday when she like a sensible
woman requested us to take off our coats, which we did, & then we found it quite hot
enough I was obliged to leave at 8. as I went to Versailles; Madame Perignon was toutched when I
told her of your thoughtfulness respecting her just as you left the gate. I reached Versailles
at 1/2 past 9 & found them all -------------------------------- Page -------------------------------- in bed except Mrs Healy who is glad you are in so nice a part of
London, I am sure you will get used to the smoke & dirt of that famous old city
& that you will like it vastly by the time I receive a line from you just before you
sail.

My dear Friends, in closing this hasty note let me say most devo[u]tly, God bless you,
& be assured that I never think & speak or hear of you but that my heart yearns
towards you. Our kindest regards to Miss. Buell, Sincerely

Yours

Geo. P. A. Healy

P.S. I am sorry the work of Peter Paul Rubens has not reached me.

I wish I had the power of telling you the nice things our sevant has said of you all,
& in rather timid tones, she remarked that your man servant was bien doux!